2023-06515. STS Hydropower LLC.; Notice of Application for Surrender of License, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests

Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection:

a. Application Type: Application for surrender of license.

b. Project No: 7242-060.

c. Date Filed: September 30, 2022, supplemented on February 28, 2023.

d. Applicant: STS Hydropower, LLC.

e. Name of Project: Kanaka Hydroelectric Project.

f. Location: The project is located on the Sucker Run Creek, in Butte County, California. The project does not occupy any federal lands.

g. Filed Pursuant to: Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, 16 U.S.C. 2705, 2708.

h. Applicant Contact: Ms. Melissa Sonnleitner, PO Box 167, Neshkoro, WI 54960, [phone] ext. 347, [e-mail].

i. FERC Contact: Jeffrey V. Ojala, [phone], [e-mail].

j. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, and protests: April 22, 2023.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments, motions to intervene, and protests using the Commission's eFiling system at https://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​ecomment.asp. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at [e-mail], [phone] (toll free), or [phone] (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852. The first page of any filing should include the docket number P-7242-060. Comments emailed to Commission staff are not considered part of the Commission record.

The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person whose name appears on the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency.

k. Description of Request: The licensee proposes to surrender its license for the project. The licensee states that the Ponderosa Wildfire of August 2017 severely damaged or destroyed the project's powerhouse, transmission lines, and electrical equipment. The project has been inoperable since that time. Following the fire, the licensee conducted an economic analysis and determined that it is not cost effective to restore the Kanaka Project to full operation. A Dam Decommissioning Plan is included with the application to surrender and in the supplemental information filed on February 28, 2023. The licensee has been working with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Water Resource Control Board, and the California State Historic Preservation Officer to develop its surrender application.

l. Locations of the Application: This filing may be viewed on the Commission's website at https://www.ferc.gov using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. You may also register online at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, call 1-866-208-3676 or email [e-mail], for TTY, call [phone]. Agencies may obtain copies of the application directly from the applicant.

m. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission.

n. Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene: Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211, .214, respectively. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified comment date for the particular application.

o. Filing and Service of Documents: Any filing must (1) bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “PROTEST”, or “MOTION TO INTERVENE” as applicable; (2) set forth in the heading the name of the applicant and the project number of the application to which the filing responds; (3) furnish the name, address, and telephone number of the person commenting, protesting or intervening; and (4) otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All comments, motions to intervene, or protests must set forth their evidentiary basis. Any filing made by an intervenor must be accompanied by proof of service on all persons listed in the service list prepared by the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 385.2010.

Dated: March 23, 2023.

Debbie-Anne A. Reese,

Deputy Secretary.